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For many years the Chinese culture has been filled with corruption that has lead them to always be in the state of war and chaos, until one man brought a philosophy/ Code of Conduct called confucianism to China in the 7th century. The basic concept of confucian's philosophy is what the people should be doing, that all should know their place in society and fulfill their duties.

K'ung Fu tzu
  • born 551bc died 479bc
  • named changed to "Confucius" by the Europeans
  • Teacher, philosopher, and political theorist
  • Traveled for 30 years for official post
  • Once K'ung Fu Z was dead his work was carried on by other teachers and raised status of a god by some followers
Confucianism(Beliefs/ Religion)
  • More of a social structure than a religion, Confucianism's ideals were based on Respect to authority, Honor, and bettering both you're self and you're country.
  • Family makes you who are are
  • Education was very important, considered "constant self improvement
  • points= All must carry out their roles "rulers be rulers, fathers act as fathers"-K'ung Fu Tzu
and all people and rulers must act virtuously
  • K'ung Fu believed there was a social level of class, merchants/traders were the lowest and anything above them were worthy/ important and should be respected.

Confucian ethical teachings include the following values:

  • Li: includes ritual, propriety, etiquette, etc.
  • Hsiao: love within the family: love of parents for their children and of children for their parents
  • Yi: righteousness
  • Xin: honesty and trustworthiness
  • Jen: benevolence, humaneness towards others; the highest Confucian virtue
  • Chung: loyalty to the state, etc.
(Jen)
  • Refers to human kindness, there are 5 relation ships between people.
  • Sovereign and subject
  • parent and child
  • elder and younger brother
  • husband and wife
  • friend and friend
Five Classics
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  • Ancient books that are associated with Confucianism: This book was written by K'ung Fu Tzu himself stressing the importants of family, respect of elders and the reverence of the past
  • Yijing (classic of change)
  • Shujing (classic of history)
  • classic of poetry
  • collection of rituals
  • Chungiu (spring and Autumn Annals)

Kongzi

  • consisted of traditional Chinese worship and revenue to heaven

The Impact
In the beginning many of the Chinese rulers disagreed with Confucianism and wanted to gain and have all the power so Confucius never received official support. so when the Chinese came into contact with Indian Buddhism they formed spiritual disciplines Ch'an. As each of book such as The Book Of Odes was introduced and Kone on ancestor worshiped of Confucius. As mentioned before, Confucianism views Ancestor Worshiping as an extension of piety. This began as early as when Confucianism was first introduced during the Zhou Dynasty. The first temple erected to Confucius, was built by Emperor Tai Zong of the Tang Dynasty and K'ung Fu Tzu method formed Confucianism to be strongly influence to the political, social, and intellectual behaviors of china.

Social

  • emphasized the need of system for ethics value and political returning

Intellectual

  • Philosophers are important as are educators
  • Merchants/Soldiers lowest ranking

Political

  • Controlled the chines way of life and order

Before Confucianism was ever introduced life in china was poorly developed and was always in state of war and chaos with bandits, extra., but now that it has become a "religion" or moral teaching have created China and other places all along Asia to run smoother and have a form of governmental control.


What makes Confucianism unique?

Cultures

  • Typical way of Japanese life
  • Buddhism of India
  • Taoists (Dowism) love of nature
  • Pragmatism of Confucian mentality

Ex. of Confucianism
  • The 5 scriptures (listed above)
  • Cult= temples in honor of Confucians in the empire to provide monetary support
  • Corpus of writing= Dong Zhongshu- A instrumental in prompting Confucian ideas and book in official circles
  • level of certain people or jobs...(Garbage man= Just as important as the king, doing his job and serving to keep the environment healthy)

Take a further look...




Confucianism ex. questions
  • What are some of the beliefs or practices of the religion Confucianism?
  • What are the goals of life for Confucianism?
  • How did Confucius influence the lives of chines people?
  • How did Confucianism change china?
  • What did the Confucianisms believe in?
  • What is a basic principle of Confucianism?

Resources


1."Confucianism: Founded by K'ung Fu Tzu." Religions of the world. 4 July 2004. ReligiousTolerance.org. 2 Feb. 2009 <http://www.religioustolerance.org/confuciu.htm>.

2.Travis, Willam H., ed. World Histoey Coutinuity & Change. Austin: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1997.